Development of thermal scattering kernels for sodium hydroxide

Abstract

NaOH was recently proposed as a moderator for the compact molten salt reactors, under development by Seaborg Technologies. In order to reliably predict the thermalisation of neutrons in such a reactor, the simulations must be based on modelling which accurately accounts for the low-energy neutron interactions in NaOH. This information is contained within thermal scattering libraries that are used during Monte-Carlo simulations. In this paper, we present the results of neutron scattering experiments carried out at VESUVIO, ISIS in order to facilitate the development thermal scattering libraries for solid NaOH.